Venting appliance for heating systems



Feb. 23, 1932.` A.-1 BRowNE VENTING APPLIANCE FOR HEATING SYSTEMS Filed April l, 1931 IN V EN TOR.

BY ,ml fw 1 MW ATTORNEYS. l

Patented Feb. 2?, 1932 Y UNT-TanA STATES PATENT lori-"len i I vmrfrme ArrniAivcE Fon nmrnrci'sysniixs l Application led April 1,

to heating systems a part of such sys- This invention relates and appliances forming tems. A

Objects of the invention are to provide novel arrangements whereby' heating systems may be operated more eciently and/or with v a reduced number of parts.

In heating systems, heating systems, employing radiators which 10 are suppliedfrom a boiler with heated condensible elastic fluid, it is desirable to vent'` air from each-- radiator to atmosphere, to prevent the annoying escape of the elastic condensible heating fluid fromythe'system and also the consequent VWaste of the heat energy contained in it, and also'to prevent accumu lation of condensed li uid in parts of the system other than the oiler lest undesired andicven unsafe lowering of the liquid level inthe boilerresult. Inorder to insure return of the liquid of condensation to the boiler, appliances such as boiler return traps, pressure-equalizing seals, pumps, "have heretofore described, it is necessary to been employed.

' By Virtue of my invention, presently to be provide in the piping system to and from the boiler only the usual radiators and, vfor each radiator, a single venting appliance between the outlet of the radiator and its return pipe; this Venting appliance'serving automatically (1) to V vent air with facility and at the desired rate from each-radiator, (2) to prevent wasteful escape of heating fluid, and (3) to permit and cause prompt returnV of condensate to the boiler.

The venting appliancehereafter vdescribed is an improvement upon that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of my copending application Serial N o. 294,078, and may be substituted therefor Jin the heating system shown in- Figs. 3 and 4 of the said copending application and described therein aswell as'in other systems.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate what I now consider apreferred form of my venting appliance:

Fig. 1 is a sectional4 elevation of the venting appliance.

. Fig. 2 is a detail. sectional elevation of a for example, steam 1931. Seriali No. 526,882.

added features.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional elevation of a part ofthe appliance shown in Fig. 1 with a d modification in the air-venting control.A

Fig. 4 is a detailed sectional elevation of a part of the appliance shown in Fig. 1, with an additional modification in the air-venting control.

- My venting appliance may, las* stated, be employed in the heating system shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of my copending application Serial N o. 294,078 and described therein. It may likewise be employed in other systems,

some of which will bereferred to hereinafter. I shall now first describe a preferred construc-A tion of the venting appllance and then indicate s'ome of the various modifications that maybe employed within the scope of the invention as defined by the'appended cla'ims.

The venting appliance shown in Fig. 1 comprises a valve casing which is sealed except at three passages. One of these passages, 10, admits air, steam, and water of condensation to the interior of the' casing. Another-of the passages, 11,- discharges water of condensation from the casing. The other passage, 12, discharges air from the interior of the casing to the atmosphere. The valve casing shown comprises the body portion, 13, which is externally screw-threaded to receive the nut, 14, which holds the valve spud 15, tightly seated in the inlet end of the passage, 10, internallyscrew-threaded at the outlet end of the passage 11 to receive a discharge or return pipe or conduit, and internally screwthreaded to receive the valve bonnet, 16, which is, in turn, internally screw-threaded to receive the valve member, 17, and the subbonnet, 18, the latter being provided with a screw-threaded vent opening, 19.

Means are provided` within the valve casing, called into action by the entrance of steam into the casing, for closing the passage, l2. The means shownl comprise the following structure: The valve head, 20, adapted to seat in the valve seat provided in the valve member, 17, is secured to and carried by a sealed,

21, having a comor diaphragm, 22,

through the floor or valve casing and containing a. volatile fluid. The bottom or diaphragm, 22, rests upon or abuts against a stationary support,23. These parts are so designed and^constructed as to operate as follows: In the absence of 'steam within the valve casing, the pressure of the volatile fluid within the container, 21, is insuicient to force the diaphragm, 22, downwardly to such an extent as to move against its seat in the valve member, 17. However, when steam enters the valve casing, it contacts through orifices, 33 and 34:, with the thermostat, 21, 22, imparting heat thereto, causing the volatile fluid to expand and thus causing the diaphragm, 22, to bulge downwardly to such. an extent as to close the valve head, 20, on -its seat. The casing, 23, which houses the thermostat, 21, 22, is threaded at its upper end and adapted to thread into the upper'portion of bonnet, 16, as shown. The casing, 23, is provided with orifices, 33, at its upper portion, and also with orifices 34, bottom. These oriiices, 33 and 34, permit the thermostat, 22, to be in restricted communication with the interior of the valve casing 13, 16. The orices 33 may be eliminated entirely and one or more orifices 34 only maybe used. The casing, 23, also controls or limits lateral movement o the member, 21, accurately and toa minimum extent. y

Means are provided also for preventing the escape of water of condensation from the through the passage, 12. The container, 21, above described, acts not only as a thermostat but serves also as a float. I and when water collects and its level rises within the valve casing, this float, 21, is raised by the rising water and forces the valve head, 20, firmly against its level reaches the passage, 12.

There are also provided means for preventing the entrance of air into the valve casing through the passage, 12. One form of such means is shown in4 Fig. 1, and is constructed as follows: The upper end of valve member, 17, is provided w1th an annular rib or seat, .24, upon which a valve disc, 25, rests.

' This valve disc permits the escape of air from the interior of the casing, 13, 16, to atmosphere through the passages, 12 and 19, but when the pressure within the casing, 13, 16, is below atmospheric pressure, the valve disc, 25, prevents entrance of ail into thecasing, The 'valve disc, 25, is made of the desired thickness and'weight for the purpose of providing any desired air ventin reslstance.

By using discs, 25, each o the properly designed weight for its radiator, the `steam circulation within the respective radiators can be balanced so that the complete heating 1 be eiected at approxi-f' `mately the same time, re

of each radiator can ardless of the difference size of the ra the valve head, 20,

. connected a valve head or clapjper,

seat before the water y (wet or dry) iatorsA or their rel spective nearness to or distance from the boiler. f

, Within the -valve casing, 13, are provided also pressure responsive means for preventing the entrance of water, air, or steam through the passage, 10, back into the radiator. These means include a specially-constructed check valve, consisting of a body or scat. member, 26, to which there ispivotally 27, at 28. The neck of the check valve ody, 26, protrudes through an annular orifice in the valve casing, 13. The neck of the check valve body, 26, is threaded to receive a lock nut, 30, in order securely and rigidly to fasten the entire check valve member, in place. A gasket, 29, maybe provided in case the contacting surfaces between the valve body, 13 and the shoulder of the extension neck of the check valve casing, 26, are not machined to an accurate, tight fit.

- The check valve body is provided with a duct or port, 31, the upper end of which is parallel to and adjacent the vspud port vor passage, 10. The lower end of the duct 30 terminates at the annular rib or check valve seat, .32. It will be observed that the upper end of check valve port, 30, and the lower end of check valve port, 30, are at two different f ard gravity return vapor type of heating.

system, utilizing steam with marked advantages.

Such standard types of s stems, last referred to, usually employ a boiler, a system of supply piping for conveying steam to radiators throughy radiator inlet valves at the top of each radiator, each radiator being also equipped at its return end with a thermostatic valve or similar device. In such standard systems the return piping starts at the radiator return traps and terminates dry (above the water line of the boiler) at or near the traps, pressure equalizing seals, pumps, or other means, are employed to effect return of the condensate back to the boiler and the liberation of all airfrom the system is also usually eected at this point. Such standard systems also commonly employ, in addition, a wet or dry pressure drip return, draining the end of thewsteam mains and connecting directly to the boiler return header.

In the application of this invention to a gravity return system of heating, scribed, allthree systems of basement mains, namely, steam mains, dry return mains, and ressure drip return mains, may be used.- B o1ler return traps, pressure equalizing loop seals, pumps, air venting traps or boiler; from this point, boiler returnl as dedevices, or other similar apparatus, may be dispensed with as unnecessary. The dry 're- .very slight turn may be dispensed with and the return risers may connect into the (wet or dry) pressure return, lor they may connect back into the steam mains, either sealed wetor dry.

These modifications in piping. are possible as check valve clapper, 27, to open. This meinber is normally closed and quite delicately balanced against an annular valve seat,`32. This valve seat, 32, preventing the valve capper, 27, being held to its seat by grease or water adhesion and, furthermore, also preventing a pressure drop at this point under flow conditions as would l occur if this valve member, 27, 32, had broad seating surfaces.

body, 13 and 16, of the trap through the inlet spud port, 10, and the check valve port, 31.

Condensate immediately falls by gravity.

through theoutlet port, 11, into the return system of piping. A very slightpressure v within the valve body and bonnet, 13, 16, is

Y orifices, 33 and 34,

-bonnet, 1 through 4the venting orifice,

sufficient to permit the free expulsion of air through the outlet port, 12, and thence through the venting port, 19, to atmosphere.

This expulsion through the port, 12, may be retarded or accelerated by selection of the thickness and weight. of the disc 25. The air, in escap'ng from the valve body, 13, and

first compelled to pass through the orifices,

33, at the top portion of the thermostat casing, 23, Aor through its-bottom orifices, 34.

When considerable steam pressure is carried and a 'radiatoris nearly completely hot and there are present within the valve casing and bonnet, 16, air, hot condensate and steam ina state of considerable turbulence, orifices, 33 and 34, to a material extent act as a sepainsuring the expulsion of air only through 12, without spitting or discharging condensate. Furthermore, the

. 21. when and if there is condensate within the ator or radiators sure, or if the radiator supply valve is opened during the existence of steam pressure, the

generated at the boiler, a

is. virtually a line contact Consequently, air, conden-- sate, and steam can readily enter into the'- check valve,

the venting orifice, 12,.is.

- stallation at the tend to diminish any ex treme vertical oscillation of the float member,

uponV a rising steam pres? conditions then within the interior ofV thisvalve casing 13-16 subside to a point wherein there is uniform pressure within the casing'and a very slight intermittent venting of air and other non-condensable gases through venting orifice, 12, upon a slight change in temperature around the float and thermostat, 21, and 22, of but radiator eilicienc insofar as the expulsion of air and other non-condensable gases is concerned. The hydrostatic head caused by the outlet portion of the check valve conduit, 31, at the valve seat, 32, being lower than its inlet portion, 30, adjacent to the inlet port, 10, through the valve spud, insures a complete,

rapid, and continual drainage of the condensate from the radiator. Inasrnuch as thishydrostatic head is materially more than is vnecessary to cause the valve clapper, 27, to

open, it is apparent therefore that it is impossible to cause any rise of water Within the radiator above the' lnlet port, 10, within the capacity of the'trap. The condensate discharged within the valve body, 13, would therefore continually drain through the outlet port 11, or return connection of the casing.

From this point, the condensate would by the law of gravitation find its way back to the boiler. Irraddition to the condensate returning to the boiler within the return line a few degrees. This insures g piping, there would in addition be present v within this piping system, veither air, or air and steam.

The pressure of these gases withinthe return line piping would be practically the' same as the pressure of the gases Within the radiator, with the following exceptions:

Between each radiator and the return line, the

27, would offer some slight resistance, and the slight pressure drop within .the entire heating system caused by the iiow of steam from the boiler tothis trap would cause some slight additional difference in pressure. `The check valve pressure differential would be constant. The pressure drop, due to steam flow, would vary somewhat, depending upon the and the design of its piping. The differences in this slight pressure differential would in effect amount to a hydrostatic head of one inch to possibly twelve inches in a large intermination of the return piping where itconnected to the return con- 'nection of the boiler. Therefore, beyondthis slight quantity of condensationand small hy- 120 drostatic head, there would be no additional size of the Yheating systemy pressure differential and -consequently no -adticularly under pressure condition ,of opera`` tion, vare unnecessary. Inasmuch as the air from each and every radiator, is directly vented through this invention at each radiator, it is unnecessary to provide additional devices on or at the termination of the return main to vent thel air from all the radiators. If a radiator is turned oiif while steam is 5 being circulated to other vradiators turned on, steam from the radiators turned on, provided there is sufficient steam pressure being carried, would gradually find4 its way to the interior of the valve body and bonnet, 16, of the radiator turned oit, due to the contracted or open position of the valve members, 20, 12. he check valve members, 27 .and 32,.being normally closed, would prevent the steam.

. from heating the radiator turned off. Steam now being present within the valve casing,

16, and bod 13, would cause the thermostat,

21, 22, to c ose theventing valve 20, 12 ex actlythe same as in caseswliere. the radiators were turned on. However if the radiator sup# ply valve is opened. on the radiator turnedI off, this radiator would heat virtually as fast ^as if this condition did not pertain, for the following reasons: When a radiator inlet valvel is opened, the conditions within that particular radiator and other radiators would be the same in respect to pressure. The Weightof the air within greater than the corresponding head ofsteam, Would therefore cause a slight opening of the delicately balanced check valve, 27. Inasmuch as the check valve, 27 of this radiator would have the same resistance as that of the check 4valve clapper,l27, of any Vother radiator, it would open, due to the Jfact 'that' there would be a slight pressure drop between this check valve clapper, 27, and any other check valve clapper, 27, from which steam was being supplied to the interior of this trap. When the radiator valve is opened, the a pressure on the check valve clapper, 27, would initially be exactly the same as the pressure at the radiator inlet valve,-due to the lack of any pressure drop between the inlet; and outlet of the radiator because of the lack 'of con- (lensing of steam Within the radiator, While, on the other hand, steam beingsupplied as previously described to the interior of'this trap from anotherl radiator, would at the point of the check valve clapper, 27, of that 5o radiator, be at a lower pressure than at the Vcheck valve clapper oi this radiator, due to' the fact that that radiator would necessarily have some pressure drop between its inlet and outlet because .of the condensing eiect of the radiator.

The combination of these forces is therefore more than suicient to cause a slight opening of the clapper, 27, when any radiator is turned on while the vent Within-the casing .60 13-16 at that particularradiator is closed,

dueto steam romanother radiator. The instant that this clapper, of air, or air and condensate, enters the valvev casing, 13, immediately causing a slight dro f in temperature within the valve body, 13,- an

the radiator, being i lic container having a atmospheric,

'if the container 21,

ly) and cause `its opposite ends 1n undercut 27, opens, a quantitybonnet, 16, which is sufh'cient to aiect the thermostat 21, 22, and cause the valve mem ber, 20, 12, to open with a consequent venting of air from the radiator turned on. Thereafter, the formation of condensation within this radiator will, in its flow through port, 1'0, and port, 31, cause the check valve clapper 27 to be more. or less continuouslyY open; With this condensate, air will be more or less continually discharged within the Valve body, 13, 162 The continual cooling effect. o this ac'-y tion is suiiicient to permita rapid and complete heating in spite of the'slight interference caused by steam from other radiators turned on.-

In any case where the return from any given radiator turned of terminated wet (be- -low the water line of theboiler) Without any other radiator connecting into this return then if the boiler pressure was suicient and the level of this valve sufficiently close to the Water line, condensate would back up within this particular valve and cause thefioat, 21, to rise and effectively close the venting valve members, 20 and 12. When this particular.- radiator was turned on and consequently pressure conditions equalized, this water would recede tol its normallevel, lapproximately boiler vvater line.

An Aadditional and quite desirable feature is embodied in my venting appliance shown in Fig. 1. The thermal-responsive member 21, as stated, comprises a sealed hollow metaldomparatively exible bottom or diaphragm Ax22 4and' containing a volatile fluid. The design and construct1on are such that expansion ofthe volatile fluid, under rise of temperautre,as described, closes the valve 20-12 to prevent escape of steam. Also, in View of the. fact that the member 21, 22 serves as a oat, the valve 20-12 closes automatically if and when liquid rises in the casingfl, 16, so that escaof liquid through the port 12 is prevented. addition,lthe container 21, 22 is so Constr cted and designed that normally the pressu within it is sub.-

i. e. a partial vacuum exists in the container 21, 22. As a consequence, 22 should spring' a leak, the `diaphragm 22 will assume a fiat or plane position (instead of being convexed upwardthe valve 20--12 to close, thereby sealing the passage 12 and preventing the of any steam or water. .s The device illustrated in Fig. 1 possesses also other desirable features not yet described. Thus, a flat strip 35 of spring brass, or other suitable material, is sprung and seated at slots in the member 17, to prevent dislodgment of the` disc or clap 25 but yet to permit its unseating to permit controlled escape of `air from the port 12 to the atmosphere. Furthermore, the member 17 isshown provided with lateral ,holes or-,aperturesf to dis.-v

1,847,053 v l 5 v charge any drops ofcondensate laterally, or .receive a' screw 41 which is provided with ak radially, and then downwardly tothe metal- T-shaped passage 43 communicating with lic evaporating floor- 37. When steam first the port 12A. The upper end of the screw enters the easing 13, 16, particularly if the 41 isconical to serve as a valve member and radiator to which it is connected is turned is provided with la slot for pur oses of ad 70 on suddenly while pressure is carried, there Justment. The sub-bonnet 18 provided may be a few drops of condensation formed withthe tapped opening 19A corresponding on the general interior surfaces of the entire to4 the hole 19 in Fig. 1, serves to grip beventing appliance. Should one or two drops tween it and the upper end of Vthe bonnet of this condensate formed on the valve mem- 16A, a flexible metallic diaphragm 125 hav- 75 bers 17, -20be discharged through the valve ing a valve member 44 adapted to be closed orifice^12, effective evaporation of this small by the' member 41. By inserting a screw, quantity of condensate is achieved Without driver through the opening 19A into the slot anydischarge thereof through the final vent in the head of the screw 17 A, and turning it ing port l?. s in one direction or the other, Vthe position of 80 AS pI'eVlOllSly Stated, 011e 0I' more OICGS the valve'member 17A with-respect lto the 34, with or without orifices, 33, properly devalve member 44 maybe adjusted and Set as signed, effectively meterA condensate into the desired, By virtue 0f this adjustment the container 23. The fewer the number of these time ef Opening and Closing and the rate 0f orifices, or the smaller their size, the more air discharge through the Valve -17Am44 e5 effective this metering action will be. AISO, with respect 'to the steam pressure may be any condensate that `enters the container 23 regulated, adjusted, and Set, as desired. isnleterefent et e rare dePendlng nPOn the Thus the heating of each radiator with reconstruction of the orifices 33 and 34. Con- Spect to another, or Others, een be readily s sequently, the responsive action of the float conm-Oued and at will, 9o

member 21 y1P 0r down, OPenngend e105' These valve members 41, 44, are normally mg the Vahle members 20-12 may be S0 closed. When the pressure within the heatregulated 35,130 be extremely 510W and thus ing system exceeds atmospheric pressure, Pr event SPlttlng 0r dlseherge 0f condensate es. these valve members open due to the fact that Commonly Occurs 1n many au' Ventmg Valves the pressure in the casing 16A slightly lifts 95 e due te the rapid felling and rising 0f the een' the diaphragm 125 and unseats the valve.

deneete around' the' Heet member and the The resistance to such opening may be varied rapid and erratiemovement of the float memby adjusting the .Valve head 41 in Order to ber Caused by rms tnrbuleneebalance' the circulationof steaml to all ra- ,.MY Ventmg aPPllanee may also be P I'O diators. When the pressure within casing 100 vided with means for mufiiing the expulsion 16A is less than atmospheric pres-Sure, then of air which commonly and lOrdinarily PrO the atmospheric pressure exerted upon the duce? a hissiilg sound in many forms of air' diaphragm 125 through the venting port 19A e. Venting appllances OQne form (.f Such muf' forces the valve member 44 tight against the amg means 1S Shown m F 1g' 2 m Whleh the valve head 41. Due to the fact that the area 105 Sub' -Onnet 18 is Provided with two annular of the diaphragm 125 is many times Orea'ter screens, 38,' and 40, of perforated sheet brass than the actual Venting ares of the valve or other reticulated metal, between which is members 41 and 44, there results a tighter Y, Confined a quantlty 'of pebbles 39 or .other seating of the valve members 44 and 41 than durable steam'reslstelit and heat`res1stent results from the difference in pressure be- 110 Particles' These Provlslonspermlt. thefiscepe vtween the inside and outsidebf the valve 25 o f air but mufiie the sound ordinarily inshown in Figrl However, a diephregm of @dent to Suh escape'. this type, although tighter -on vacuum, The Ventmg ipphimce 1S of curse sus' would require more pressure to open itto ceptible .to modification. Thus, instead of permit Venting of air than is 'required by 115 selectin the sizeiand wei ht of the disc or C1apperg25 to Control the cape of @if from PeVlOuSly embed Structure Shown m the port 12, the arrangement shown 1n Fig. 3 The advantages of e free discharge of sir may be employed' l and a very tight closing under a slight vacy .Accordmg t9 the coilstructlon Shown m uum are both obtained with the construction 120 F 1g' 3 the Casmg. .portlfm 1.6A corresponds shown/in Fig. 4.' In Fig. 4 the sub-bonnet to the casing portion 16 1n Fig. 1 except that 18B having the lopening 19B- corresponds the Screw threads for the slib'bonnet 18A tothe sub-bonnet 18 of Fig. l or 18A of Fig.' are PrOVlded 0n the Ontslde msteed 0f the 3; the member 44A corresponds to the housinside. The member 17A corresponds to the ing for the valve 25 as in Fig. 1 and serves 125 member 17 0f Figl but S Somewhat mOdalso as avalve member corresponding tothe fied in construction. as will now be noted. valve member 4.4ef Fig In the arrange- The member 17A, having the port 12A cori' ment shown in Fig. 4, the valve 41-44A is responding to the port 12 in Fig. 1, is internormally open and closes only when the presnally screw-threaded vin'order adjustably to sure Within the casing 16A is. sub-atmos.- 130 vision and relationship, objectionable watcrpheric. Being normally open, air can vent freely through these valve members 41-44A and lift the disc 25 and vent through the port 19B. When the pressure within the casing 16A is sub-atmospheric, i. e. alpartial vacuum, the disc 25 closes as previously described in connection with Fig; 1. However, atmospheric pressure exerted through the vent port 19B upon diaphragm 125 causes the whole member 44A to drop slightly and seat securely on the iixed valve head 41, giving under vacuum conditions of operation, the tight venting valve feature as described in connection with Fig. 3.

It will be noted (see Fig. 1) that the crosssectional area of the duct 31, through which all fluid entering the casing at the inlet port 10 must flow, is very much-less than the crosssectional area of the outlet port 11 through which the condensate discharged from the casing must flow. By virtue of this proplugging of the outlet port 11, or the return pipe connected thereto, is prevented.

The internally threaded discharge opening 19 (or 19A orw19B) may be closed by a plug (not shown) screwed therein when a system'is to be converted from a vapor or steam system to a hot water heating system.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have herein described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now c onsider to represent the best embodiments thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus disclosed is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means. Also, while it is designedto use the various features and elements in the combinations and relations described, some of these may be altered and others omitted and some of the features of each modification may be embodied in .the others without interfering with the more general results outlined, and the invention extends to such use.

What I claim is:

1. A venting appliance for steam heating systems and comprising in combination; a casing'having an inlet port for admitting vapor, air, and condensate, an outlet port for discharging air, and an outlet port for discharging condensate; a one-way valve through which all fluid entering thecasing through the inlet opening must ilow, the interior of said casing being at all times lin free communication with its condensate outlet port, heat-responsive -means within said casing for substantially preventing discharge ofheated va or through the air discharge port, andlliquid-level responsive means within the casing for substantially preventing discharge of condensate through the air discharge port. e l

2. venting appliance for steam heating systems and'- comprising in combination; a

casing having an inlet port for admitting vapor, air, and condensate, an outlet port for discharging air, and an outlet port for chamber in communication with the interior of the casing for preventing surging of the {ioat when `condensate within the casing is in a turbulent state.

3. A venting appliance for steam heating systems and comprising in combination; a

casing having an inlet port for admitting vapor, air, and condensate, an outlet port for discharging air, and an outlet port for discharging condensate; a one-way valve through which all Huid entering the casing through the inlet opening must iow, the interiorv of said casing being at all times in free communication with itscondensate outcasing for substantially preventing discharge of heated vapor through the air discharge ort, and liquid-level responsivemeans within the casing for substantially preventing discharge of condensate through the air discharge port, the two last mentioned means including a sealed hollow m'ember- .which serves both as a thermostat and a float.

4. A venting appliance for steam heating systems and comprising in combination; a casing having an inlet port for admitting vapor, air, and condensate, an outlet port for discharging air, and an outlet port for discharging condensate; a one-way valve through which all through the inlet opening ,-must flow, the inuid entering the casinglet port, heat-responsive means within said los terior of said casing being at all'times in l lfree communication with its condensate outmg a valve and a sealed hollow member which closes .the valve upon rupture of its seal, and

liquid-level responsive means within the casing'for substantially preventing discharge of condensate through the air dischar e port'.

5. A venting app iance for steam eating systems and comprising in combination; a

casing having an in et port for admitting vapor, air. and condensate, an outlet port for dischargingv air, and an outlet port for dischargingcondensate a one-wayvalve through which allluid entering V the casing through p level responsive means within' the casing for substantially preventing discharge of condensate an adjustable pressure-operated' one-Way valve for preventing entry of air into the casing through the air discharge port and for l' selectively controlling the rate of dischargeof air through the air discharge port.

6. A venting appliance as set forth inA claim 5 and in which the last mentioned valve comprises a gravity disc Aoir' selected weight,

7. A venting appliance as set forth in claim 5 and in which the last mentioned valve is operatively connected to a diaphragm responv sive to the difference in pressures inside and outside/the casingand having a pressure-responsive area greatly in excess of 'the area of the valve orice. t l

. 8. A venting appliance as set forth in claim 5 in which the last mentioned valve is' a compound valve vcomprising a gravity disc valve member of selected weight for controling the discharge of air from the air discharge port and a normally open diaphragm valve for in'suring that air shall not enter the casing through ,the air discharge port.

9. Aventing appliance for steam heating systems and comprising in combination; a casing having an inlet port for admitting vapor, air, and condensate, an outlet port for discharging air, and an outlet port for discharging condensate; a one-way valve through which allfiuid through the inlet opening must flow, the interior of said casing being at all times in free communication with its condensate outlet port,'heatresponsive means within said casing for substantially preventing discharge of heated vapor through the air discharge port,

liquid-level responsive means within the casing for substantially preventing discharge of coidensate through the air discharge port, an charged from the casing through the discharge port.

through the air discharge o port, and

entering the casing 4 -level responsive means Within the casing for substantially preventing discharge of condensate through the air discharge port; the said liquid-level responsive means including a' valve and al sealed hollow float andmeans for causing the valve to be closed vupon leakage of the hollow float.

vaior through the air discharge port, and liqu1 claim 1 in which means-are provided for reducing the cross-sectlonal area of a stream 11. A venting appliance as set forth in4 of fluid entering the casing through the inlet Y port with respect to the area of the condensate outlet port. p o

12. A ventingl appliance as set forth in claim 1 in whichmeans are provided for sealing the air, discharge port whereby the venting appliance may be employed with a hot water heating'` system.

In testimony whereof I hereto aliix my signature.

ALFRED L. BROWN E.

means for muiing the sound of air dis- 10. A venting appliance for steam heating systems and comprising in ,combinatiom a casing having an inlet port for admitting vapor, air, and condensate from a radiator, an outlet port for discharging air to the atmosphere, and an outlet port for discharging condensate into a return pipe; a one-way valve for preventing Huid in the casing from flowing through the inlet opening into a radiator, the interior of said casing being at all times in free communication .with the return pipe through the condensate outlet port, heat-,responsive substantially preventing discharge of heated means within said casing for 

